Veterans will be honored as the theme for the Independence Day parade this year in Curtis, which will host the "Biggest Little Town Parade in Michigan" Sunday, July 2, at 12:30 p.m. This will be the 31st year for the parade, which draws about 15,000 people to the town of 650 residents.

All veterans and veterans organizations are invited to attend and participate by riding on a float, sitting in the reviewing stand, or taking part in the color guard.

Sammi Norman Jr., a fourthgeneration serviceman from the Upper Peninsula who is serving in Iraq, is asking spectators to bring new or good-condition used children's shoes to the parade, where they will be collected and shipped overseas for the children of Iraq. The campaign is called "Walk a Mile Barefoot."

For more information about the Curtis parade or to take part, call organizer Captain Bill Kelly at (906) 586-9433, or the Curtis Chamber of Commerce at (906) 586-3700.